Part 53 (2/2)

But he was game ”Not on your life,” he shouted back ”We ain't started yet Try your damnedest”

He tossed aside the reroping I stepped back and threw my stick deliberately far into the forest, then I stopped and met him with his oeapons

After all, I was now on awith him than I had been when both of us were arether We turned, and twisted, and struggled He had the advantage over th, but I had hith I possessed

We smashed at each other with our fists wherever and whenever we found an opening Our clothes were soon in ribbons Blood spurted fro for breath with roaring sounds,--choking,--half-blind, we staggered and swayed, s into trees and over bushes

At last Ibackward Still riveted together,--Joe Clark ca crash, into a tree and I knew no roaned for a return of the blessed sleep from which I had awakened, for every inch of ony

A thousand noises druht of the entire universe seeled weakly to free radually what had happened tocold and clammy

It was the bloody face of Joe Clark, as lying on top of led with the cu life in me Every effort, every turn was a new pain, but all ot froered to my knees I was a very babe for weakness then I clutched at the tree-trunk for support and raised myself to my feet I looked down on the pale face of Joe Clark, as he lay there, the ash on his forehead

Evidently, he had struck the tree, face on, with the saroaned ”He is dead,Joe Clark is”

Then the blissful ain and I crumpled to the earth

CHAPTER XXIV

Two Maids and a Man

When next I awoke, it was a sensations of pains and pleasantnesses My eyes gradually took inin Heaven, or the other place of future abode as I fully expected to be, I was lying on my own bed, in my own room, in a se about I followed it withthe fact that it did not know that I atching it Then it tip-toed toward me and bent over me

All my doubts and fears departed After all, I was in Heaven; for Mary,--the Mary I so loved,--was bending overher cooling, soothing hand on my hot brow

I must have tried to speak, for, as if far away, I could hear her enjoining me not to talk, but just lie quiet and I would soon be well

She put a spoon toslowly found its way downmy lips! What a dreadful task it was to s and how heavy my feet and hands see voice crooned and hushedand breathing that I dropped away again into glorious slu My reading la di fire in the stove So at my bedside